The Pixel 9a is far from being a perfect phone, but it is very easy to recommend. If you want a no-frills mid-range phone experience that will serve you well for many years, this is it.

That’s not to say it doesn’t have any standout features, though. The 6.3-inch P-OLED display is excellent, especially with that silky-smooth 120Hz refresh. Opting for the same Tensor G4 chipset as the flagship Pixel 9 phones means performance is excellent too.

And in the 48Mp main lens, you’ve got a superb camera for point-and-shoot photography. The 13Mp selfie sensor is impressive too, while the 13Mp ultrawide can hold its own. It’s just a shame there’s no telephoto lens for proper zoom photography.

But the Pixel 9a is arguably even more impressive on the software side. Slick Android 15 software is backed by a class-leading seven years of updates and useful AI features, even if you don’t get the full set here. Pixel phones are also first in line to get Android 16 and future major versions when they arrive.

While battery life is decent, slow 23W wired charging is probably the biggest disappointment, while the nondescript design won’t be for everyone. But if you just want a solid mid-range phone that handles almost all the fundamentals well, the Pixel 9a is the handset for you.

With a starting price of just £329/$379, the Nothing Phone (3a) is only just expensive enough to be included here. However, provided you don’t need top-tier cameras, it offers everything most people are looking for in a phone.

Nothing’s signature design, with a semi-transparent back and customisable ‘Glyph’ lights, means the Phone (3a) is sure to turn heads. But it’s the excellent Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 performance, superb 6.77-inch 120Hz OLED display and excellent battery life (from the 5000mAh cell) that elevate the device from good to truly excellent.

Nothing’s take on Android is another highlight, with a new Essential Key that should get more useful over time, plus a full six years of software support.

Cameras are the main compromise, with issues in low-light and a disappointing ultrawide lens. But for everything you’re getting, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a superb phone for the money, and there’s no reason for most people to step up to the Phone (3a) Pro.

If you want a mid-range phone that could easily pass as a flagship, the Xiaomi 14T is for you. It looks and performs a lot like the regular Xiaomi 14, yet starts at just £549 in the UK.

And there’s a lot to like here, including a premium design complete with a stunning large OLED display. The cameras are surprisingly great, despite being a clear step down from Xiaomi’s class-leading 14 Ultra.

Solid battery life is supported by impressive 67W fast charging, even if the necessary charger isn’t in the box and there’s no wireless charging.

This is a phone with almost no hardware weaknesses, though the software is still underwhelming at times. Google’s Circle to Search feature is genuinely useful, though Xiaomi’s own AI attempts aren’t always successful.

Xiaomi’s commitment to four major OS updates and five years of security patches is solid, though. And as an all-rounder, you’ll struggle to find anything better at this price point. You could step up to the 14T Pro, but the extra £150 (it starts at £699) simply isn’t worth it for most people.

From a hardware perspective, the Poco F7 Pro is an amazing achievement.

It packs a true flagship-level chipset in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which delivers predictably superb performance in basically any scenario. The large 120Hz OLED is a joy to use, even if more brightness would be nice, while battery life from the large 6000mAh cell is excellent. You even get a premium build, something which is often sacrificed on mid-range phones.

The cameras are generally impressive, too – especially that 50Mp main lens. Sadly, the 8Mp ultrawide is a big step down in quality,

Bigger compromises appear on the software side, with annoying extra pre-installed apps and only four years of software support (as opposed to six on many mid-rangers).

But these are easy to overlook when you see everything else you’re getting for your money. Poco also has a more premium F7 Ultra, but the F7 Pro is a better choice for more people. If you’re looking for something more affordable, consider the regular Poco F7.

Given it launched alongside the flagship OnePlus 13, it’s easy to overlook the cheaper 13R. But this is a great mid-range phone in its own right.

It offers almost everything most people are looking for in a mid-range phone, namely great performance, superb battery life and slick software that cleverly deploys AI to enhance the user experience. And at this price point, OnePlus’ commitment to six years of software updates is the best around.

Cameras are the main shortcoming – despite some notable improvements compared to the OnePlus 12R, it’s a step down from the best at this price point. You’ll also have to make do without wireless charging, with the MagSafe-style accessories requiring a separate case.

However, provided user experience is your top priority and you don’t mind sacrificing some camera performance to get there, you can’t go wrong with the 13R.

If a good-looking phone is your top priority, look no further than the Motorola Edge 60 Pro.

Its gorgeous range of textured finishes and bright Pantone-inspired colours allow you to add a splash of personality without sacrificing grip. With impressive durability credentials too, you can’t get much better than the Edge 60 Pro when it comes to design.

There’s a lot to like elsewhere, too, with strong battery life from the sizeable 6000mAh cell and a gorgeous 6.7-inch pOLED screen. MediaTek’s Dimensity 8350 chipset delivers strong all-round performance, while the rear cameras perform very well when the light is good.

While the general software experience is good, there are drawbacks. Motorola’s implementation of AI features still needs work, while the company’s commitment of just three years of OS upgrades and an extra year of security patches is underwhelming when the cheaper Pixel 9a gets seven years of both.

However, very few phones can match the Edge 60 Pro in the design stakes, making it an impressive mid-range option.

In many ways, the Galaxy A56 is a Galaxy S25+ at a mid-range price.

It offers a premium design, an attractive display and solid everyday performance, making it an appealing choice. And in One UI 7, you get one of the very best software experiences, complete with genuinely useful AI features. Samsung also offers an impressive six years of both OS and security updates.

However, performance for anything more demanding can prove problematic, while a decent main rear camera is let down by the supporting lenses. You’re also better off connecting Bluetooth headphones than relying on the lacklustre speakers.

The Galaxy A56 offers a lot for its mid-range price, but it’s not brilliant value. It’s a reliable choice, but you might find one of the phones above to be a better choice.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ isn’t quite as impressive as its predecessor, but you still get a lot for as little as £399, making it an attractive option.

Talking of attractive, that 6.67-inch AMOLED screen is a real sight to behold. It’s big, vibrant and fluid, combining a 120Hz refresh rate with up to 3000 nits of peak brightness.

Other highlights include a capable 5110mAh battery supported by rapid 120W fast charging, plus an impressive main rear camera that’s up there with the best at this price. Elsewhere, the premium design could easily pass for a flagship phone, especially on the vegan leather model.

Sadly, it’s not as impressive in all areas. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset is fine for everyday tasks but struggles with anything more demanding, while Xiaomi’s HyperOS skin has plenty of bloatware and doesn’t feel the most intuitive.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ is still a strong phone, but other mid-range options offer a more well-rounded experience, and the £299 regular Redmi Note 14 Pro allows you to save some money.

Nubia might be known for its Redmagic gaming phones, but the company makes some great regular handsets, too. And the Z70 Ultra is the pick of the current bunch.

It excels in four key areas: a stunning 6.85-inch AMOLED screen, top-class Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, a flagship-level 50Mp main camera and excellent battery life from the 6150mAh cell. These are all features you’d associate with a much more expensive phone.

Unfortunately, as good as the hardware is, Nubia’s take on Android isn’t particularly intuitive, and the company doesn’t mention how long it’ll be supported. Alongside the hefty design and lack of wireless charging, there are enough reasons for most people to look elsewhere.

But if you’re looking for a mid-range phone with almost no hardware compromises compared to flagships, the Nubia Z70 Ultra is the phone for you.

The Redmagic 10S Pro is a contender for the best gaming phone outright, making it remarkable that it’s priced as a mid-range phone.

Nubia is going head-to-head with the more expensive Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro here, yet the Redmagic fares well. Performance from the upgraded Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version chipset is its key strength, offering superb gaming performance in combination with the built-in fan and advanced cooling system.

Nubia’s ‘Game Space’ software mode offers useful gaming tweaks and customisation, while the large 6.85-inch display and premium design make it a joy to use. And with a 7050mAh battery and 80W fast charging (with the charger included in the box), the battery life/charging combo is one of the best around.

The 10S Pro’s main weaknesses appear when you try to use it as a regular phone, with a poor under-display selfie camera and hit-and-miss software. Nubia also only guarantees three years of software updates, which is behind the competition.

Nonetheless, the Redmagic 10S Pro provides a near-complete mobile gaming experience at an impressively low price.